CIAC VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIP CAPSULES
CLASS LL NO. 14 TRUMBULL (20-7) VS. NO. 1 DARIEN (24-0)
When: Saturday, 10 a.m.
Where: East Haven HS
Tickets: Adults $10, Students $5, Senior Citizens $5, Children five and under; military in uniform or with I.D., Free. Digital Tickets Only (no cash sales at event) can be bought in advance at https://gofan.co/app/school/ CIAC
ON THE AIR/WEB: NFHS Network (Subscription required)
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME APPEARANCES — Trumbull: 2nd appearance, 1-0 overall. 2019 def. Westhill 3-0; Darien: 20th appearance, 17-2. 2018 lost to Amity 3-1; 2014 def. Cheshire 3-0; 2012 def. Cheshire 3-0; 2001 lost to East Lyme 3-0; 2009 def. Farmington 3-0; 2008 def. Torrington 3-0; 2007 def. Bristol Eastern 3-0; 2006 def. Jonathan Law 3-2; 2005 def. Seymour 3-1; 2004 def. Jonathan Law 3-0; 2003 def. Ludlowe 3-0; 2002 def. New Canaan 3-0; 2001 def. St. Joseph 3-0; 1999 def. New Fairfield 3-0; 1998 def. New Fairfield 3-0; 1996 def. Bunnell 3-2; 1995 def. Bunnell 3-1; 1994 def. EO Smith 3-0; 1993 def. Guilford 3-0.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: This is the third meeting of the season between the two FCIAC powers… Darien won the first via shutout but had to rally from a 2-1 deficit to beat Trumbull 3-2 in the conference final… The Eagles feature UConn-bound setter Maggie Carley and OH Camdyn Roth, both seniors… Darien is perhaps the state's deepest team, led by seniors Jillian Roche on the outside and Leilani Gillespie in the middle, and junior sisters OH Ellie Moore and setter Aubrey Moore.
YOU SHOULD KNOW: This is the third consecutive Class LL championship match between two FCIAC teams… Greenwich defeated Ludlowe in last year's final, and Trumbull defeated Westhill in 2019… This is the 14th straight Class LL tournament with a new champion… The last team to win two straight titles was Bunnell in 2005 and 2006… Darien coach Laurie LaRusso has been at the helm since 1982, amassing 24 FCIAC and 17 state championships… Darien has lost just twice after reaching the state finals, including in its last trip when it fell to Amity in 2018… The Wave defeated both of last year's Class LL finalists in the first two rounds, topping Ludlowe 3-1 and Greenwich 3-0… Trumbull is battle-tested with six five-set matches this year, including against Darien in the FCIAC final.. The Eagles, who knocked out SCC runner-up Amity 3-1 in the semis, are the lowest remaining seed in the playoffs at No. 14.
CLASS L NO. 7 BRISTOL CENTRAL (19-7) VS. NO. 1 JOEL BARLOW (23-0)
When: Saturday, 1 p.m.
Where: East Haven HS
Tickets: Adults $10, Students $5, Senior Citizens $5, Children five and under; military in uniform or with I.D., Free. Digital Tickets Only (no cash sales at event) can be bought in advance at https://gofan.co/app/school/ CIAC
ON THE AIR/WEB: NFHS Network (Subscription required
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME APPEARANCES — Bristol Central: 1st appearance; Joel Barlow: 8th appearance, 1-7 overall. 2018 def. Woodstock Academy 3-2; 2011 lost to Rocky Hill 3-2; 2010 lost to RHAM 3-1; 2009 lost to RHAM 3-0; 2007 lost to RHAM 3-0; 1996 lost to Morgan 3-0; 1995 lost to Morgan 3-1.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Joel Barlow has been on a tear this season, going unbeaten with 19 shutouts in 23 matches… The Falcons have dropped just one set in their last 19 contests, that coming in a 3-1 win over Newtown in the SWC final… Barlow is led by senior setter Emmy Asplund, the SWC tournament MVP and daughter of coach Carol ContiAsplund… The Falcons also feature senior hitters Lily Grob and Katherine Czerkawski… Bristol Central was knocked out of the CCC tournament by RHAM in the second round, but has rallied with four Class L wins to reach its first state final… The Rams feature a great libero in senior Samantha Sklenka, with senior OH Brooke Valentino and junior setter Alex Rivera leading the offensive numbers.
YOU SHOULD KNOW: Both teams played in other divisions last year, with Barlow in Class M and Bristol Central in Class LL… Both had second-round exits against the eventual champions: Barlow lost to Weston 3-2, and
Bristol Central fell to Greenwich 3-0… The Falcons are appearing in their eighth state final, but have just one championship, that coming in 2018 with a five-set victory over Woodstock Academy… They have a longrunning dynasty in the SWC, winning nine of the last 10 conference titles… Bristol Central is playing in its first state final.
CLASS M NO. 4 RHAM (23-3) VS. NO. 2 WOODLAND (24-2)
When: Saturday, 7 p.m.
Where: East Haven HS
Tickets: Adults $10, Students $5, Senior Citizens $5, Children five and under; military in uniform or with I.D., Free. Digital Tickets Only (no cash sales at event) can be bought in advance at https://gofan.co/app/school/ CIAC
ON THE AIR/WEB: NFHS Network (Subscription required)
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME APPEARANCES — RHAM: 12th appearance, 8-3 overall. 2021 def. Simsbury 3-0; 2017 def. Woodstock Academy 3-0; 2016 def. Farmington 3-1; 2015 lost to Platt 3-1; 2014 lost to Farmington 3-2; 2013 def. Farmington 3-2; 2011 lost to East Lyme 3-0; 2010 def. Joel Barlow 3-1; 2009 def. Joel Barlow 3-0; 2008 def. Jonathan Law 3-0; 2007 def. Joel Barlow 3-0; Woodland: 3rd appearance, 1-1 overall. 2013 def. Foran 3-1; 2012 lost to Ledyard 3-0.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: RHAM defeated Simsbury in last year's Class L final and has moved to Class M this season…The Raptors had a 10-match win streak snapped by Southington in the CCC final, but have posted three consecutive shutouts in the state playoffs… RHAM is led by outside hitters Ally Hadley, a senior, and Lani Fecho, a junior, with senior Lauren Feige at setter… NVL champion Woodland is riding a 14-game winning streak which includes 13 shutouts… The Hawks are led by OH Kalle Legassey, middle Maille Ianniruberto, and setter Emma Fabrizi, all seniors.
YOU SHOULD KNOW: RHAM is the last defending state champion standing, as Greenwich, Weston and Lyman Memorial were all eliminated before the quarterfinals… The Raptors have reached the state final 12 times since 2007, and have come out on top in their last three trips in 2016, 2017 and 2021… RHAM faced another NVL team, conference runner-up Seymour, in the state semis and won 3-0… Woodland last reached the final in 2013 when it won its only state title 3-1 over Foran… The Hawks lost to Ledyard 3-0 in the 2012 final.
CLASS S NO. 4 EAST HAMPTON (21-2) VS. NO. 2 HALE RAY (22-2)
When: Saturday, 4 p.m.
Where: East Haven HS
Tickets: Adults $10, Students $5, Senior Citizens $5, Children five and under; military in uniform or with I.D., Free. Digital Tickets Only (no cash sales at event) can be bought in advance at https://gofan.co/app/school/ CIAC
ON THE AIR/WEB:NFHS Network (Subscription required)
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME APPEARANCES — East Hampton: 1st appearance; Hale Ray: 5th appearance, 0-4 overall. 2019 lost to Lyman Memorial 3-0; 2016 lost to Lyman Memorial 3-0; 1985 lost to Stamford Catholic 3-0; 1982 lost to Ellington 3-1.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: This is the second conference finals rematch of championship Saturday… East Hampton defeated Hale Ray 3-1 for the Shoreline crown two weeks ago, avenging a four-set loss to the Noises early in the season… The Bellringers carry a 17-game winning streak into the final… East Hampton features junior setter Chelsea Ray, and senior outside hitters Jenna and Jordan Murphy… Hale Ray is led by senior Brooke Praskievicz, who is either first or second on the team in kills, digs, assists and aces.
YOU SHOULD KNOW: Someone will win their first state championship… East Hampton has never reached the finals, while Hale Ray has been runner-up four times, most recently in 2016 and 2019 when it fell to Lyman Memorial each time… Lyman Memorial had won three straight Class S titles, but was eliminated by top-seeded Griswold in the quarterfinals…East Hampton then defeated Griswold in a wild semifinal match 3-2… Hale Ray faced another Shoreline team in the semifinals when it beat Coginchaug 3-1… In 2020, the Bellringers ranked No. 2 on Pete Paguaga's list of best team nicknames in Connecticut.